[Prefrontal cortex neurochemical metabolite levels in major depression and the effects of treatment: an HMRS study].

Objective: Neuronal degeneration in the prefrontal cortex during depression results in altered production of neurochemical metabolites. The aim of the present study is to examine changes in neurochemical metabolites in the prefrontal cortex and evaluate the effects of psychodrama group therapy and pharmacotherapy on neurochemical metabolism in the first episode depression using 1HMRS methodology.

Method: Eighteen drug-free female patients with diagnosed first-episode major depression according to DSM-IV criteria and 10 healthy female subjects were enrolled in the study.

Neurochemical metabolites in prefrontal cortex in patients with mild/moderate levels in first-episode depression.

Background: Previous studies have determined the neurochemical metabolite abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD). The results of studies are inconsistent. Severity of depression may relate to neurochemical metabolic changes.

Neurological soft signs in obsessive compulsive disorder with good and poor insight.

Objective: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder; OCD with poor insight has been suggested to be a specific clinical subtype. Neurological soft signs (NSSs) may be helpful to identify the specific subtypes of OCD patients.

Methods: In the present study, we aimed to compare OCD patients with poor insight with OCD patients having good insight, and healthy individuals.